Planning a Luxurious Shower

Showers are an integral part of all modern bathrooms, and the options available for your daily ablutions increase year on year.

That’s why it’s important to plan your scheme thoroughly and carefully before you start. We spoke to Darren Townsend from luxury bathroom specialist Nu-line, to find out his top tips for making the most of your showering experience. Having just opened a new 1000 sq ft addition to its showroom, the company is currently on a mission to help create beautiful bathrooms.

‘Before you even begin it’s important to find out whether you have high or low pressure, and what the flow rates are like for your water. Knowing this will give you a much better understanding of what type of valve and shower head you can use,’ Darren explains. ‘The next important factor to consider is the space available for your enclosure.’

The team at Falchi Interiors fit a lot of showers in their projects, sometimes working on multiple showering variations within a single home. They point out that a pump can also be fitted to help with water pressure. They use experienced plumbers to advise on the right kind of pump: “It all depends what type of tank you have – hot water tank, cold water tank or combi boiler – and where it is in the house.”

‘The use of porcelain floor and wall tiles that resemble natural wood flooring is also a new trend.’

Making sure your shower feels spacious is a vital part of creating a luxurious feel. If you’re not fortunate enough to have a lot of room to play with, a wetroom – or even just a wet ‘area’ – is a great option. ‘There are various different tanking options now available to create wetrooms. And if you do decide to go for one, I would always mosaic the floor,’ says Darren. ‘This creates a striking, spa-like look, as well as reducing the risk of slipping.’

As well as making sure the danger of slipping is minimized, the Falchi Interiors team is also careful to make sure the showertray drains well: “When we have no visible shower tray, the only visible drainage you will see is a slim metal grill at the shower head end. There will be the slightest gradient – not even noticeable, but it means the water can drain away effectively.”

Making sure your shower feels spacious is a vital part of creating a luxurious feel. If you’re not fortunate enough to have a lot of room to play with, a wetroom – or even just a wet ‘area’ – is a great option. ‘There are various different tanking options now available to create wetrooms. And if you do decide to go for one, I would always mosaic the floor,’ says Darren. ‘This creates a striking, spa-like look, as well as reducing the risk of slipping.’

As well as making sure the danger of slipping is minimized, the Falchi Interiors team is also careful to make sure the showertray drains well: “When we have no visible shower tray, the only visible drainage you will see is a slim metal grill at the shower head end. There will be the slightest gradient – not even noticeable, but it means the water can drain away effectively.”

Some other popular options in showering at the moment include the addition of lighting within the shower area, to help create ambiance. ‘Use concealed, waterproof LED light strips beneath shelves, or in recesses to tiled walls – they are very low energy and provide gentle washes of light across walls,’ suggests Claire. ‘So, instead of having the bright, main room lights on, you can shower by the subdued light of the LEDS instead.’ Digital showers continue to go from strength to strength, with types that can be programmed to come on at the right temperature, and can be switched on from outside the shower itself. ‘The use of porcelain floor and wall tiles that resemble natural wood flooring is also a new trend,’ says Les. ‘In fact we have used it in our new showroom.’

But the most important thing you can do to ensure your shower is an exhilarating treat and not a dribbling disappointment? ‘Get great pressure – install a pump if necessary – and soften your water,’ advises Darren. ‘London in particular has the most recycled water in Europe. Only a water softener can counteract this. Once you have that sorted, you will always enjoy a great showering experience.’